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Time in Yerevan: 11:07,   29 March 2024

The easiest way to change the world is to do science: 10 questions to scientist

The easiest way to change the world is to do science: 10 questions to scientist

YEREVAN, MARCH 23, ARMENPRESS. Young researcher Sona Hunanyan’s career path started at Photon college in Gyumri where she came to realize that she was keen on math and was eager to learn more. The next step was to enter the Faculty of Applied Mathematics at Yerevan State University, afte which Sona continued with her Master’s at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, EPFL. The dilemma of school years, that is, whether to continue with math or programming, was resolved there once she saw the possibility to combine them both and program math models. The passion for biology helped to specify the framework of research interests: Sona continued with her studies in the field of biological data, already as a PhD student at Zurich University. Having acquired her scientific degree, she moved back to Armenia with her husband and two kids. Sona has joined the ADVANCE STEM Research Grant Program initiated by the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) and currently she is involved in a Machine Learning research project.

As Sona claims, the ADVANCE grant program perfectly corresponds to her plans: living in her homeland and being involved in modern research programs.

Who is a scientist?

We have a misconception regarding the word scientist as we see them as a madman who deals with papers all day long. Having Einstein in mind, we think they have to make some invention to be called a scientist. I consider myself a person who does research.

Why and how did you decide to become a scientist?

I didn’t do my PhD right after my Master’s as I wasn’t quite certain about what I wanted to do at that point. For over a year I worked in data analysis and it was perhaps then that I realized I wanted to continue with my studies and do science. To analyze some data, I read articles to figure out which models were applicable for those data. Then I understood that I could take part in the creation of those models. In scientific research what motivates me the most is the ability to create a new outcome and to do something that very few people all over the world take part in. I find that appealing.

Which discovery in the field has impressed you the most?

Sometimes it is possible to get results that are not dependent or less dependent on the data used. When I first came across that idea, it surprised me a lot. It is possible indeed as, for instance, applying Bayesian models analysts make further assumptions that need to be correctly formulated to avoid the result of data analysis being solely dependent on assumptions. In case the thesis is compelling, the information contained in the data might be lost. For that reason, math models need to not be based on mere assumptions, but also include the information contained in the data.

Are there any role models among scientists for you?

There are quite a lot of scientists and other people whose work is worthy and worth looking up to. But, as even the same person might get different results in different environments, that’s hard to compare yourself to anybody else. As an interesting scientist, I’d like to highlight our compatriot Artem Pataputyan who has recently been awarded the Nobel prize in medical science. Though professor Pataputyan lives abroad, he was born and grew up in an Armenian environment and got Armenian education. This fact is extremely inspiring indeed.

What is people’s reaction to you as a scientist?

People’s reactions differ but being involved in science is seen as something honourable and significant by most people as you need to forego a lot for the sake of science. People perhaps understand that you try to do something important rather than earn a good living. I would be hard-pressed to recall anybody who would say “Why on earth did you need to become a scientist?”. I can claim that scientists are respected most of the time.

Did your family members encourage your decision to opt for this career path, or were they concerned it would take too much effort?

I decided to do my PhD with my husband and he has always supported me throughout this time. As we have two little kids, people used to ask me how I was going to make it instead of congratulating me. My husband’s support has helped me a lot. My father encouraged me as well, I’ve always heard him talk about the importance of science since early childhood.

Which event could be considered a turning point in your career?

It seems to be a gradual process - starting from school to university education and studies at a foreign university. I’d be hard-pressed to recall any life-changing events and turning points though. 


What motivates you to get up in the mornings?

The reasons are diverse, time flies. We need to get up to be able to contribute to the full and make the most of life.

What would you recommend to a child who wants to become a scientist?

I’ve considered this question a lot as my daughter used to want to become a scientist. Children have ambitions to change the world, become influential people, so I believe the easiest way to change the world or directly influence the world is to do science. In terms of math, when you, sitting at your desk, get a significant result, you make the world better. I find it a great motivation for kids.

What would you consider to be the peak in your career? The Nobel Prize?

I reckon the Nobel Prize is just a reward for one’s work, while work and results themselves are much more important. There are scientists whose scientific results are much more considerable, though they haven’t been awarded or honoured for some reason. There’s no finish line, there’s always room for improvement, which is more important than any prize. Also, I’d like to emphasize that it is possible to achieve results in science only with joint efforts.








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